Yobe govt announces 6-month jail term for anyone who sells empowerment tools

The Yobe government has ordered a 6-month jail term as punishment for anyone caught selling empowerment tools given to them by the state.

The Deputy Governor, Idi Barde Gubana, disclosed the distribution of dry season farming inputs provided by the Northeast Development Commission, NEDC, in Damaturu.

He said the various empowerment packages were provided to speed up post-insurgency recovery and wealth creation, saying that unfortunately, most of the items were being sold by the beneficiaries.

Warning that this habit negates the purpose of the programmes, he said a 6-month jail term will be handed down to sellers of the empowerment items given to them by the government or other humanitarian organisations.

“Let me tell you that, we are designing a new policy where every beneficiary of our programs would be required to fill and submit a form that contained the signature and approval of his ward head, the village head, the district head, the council chairman, as well as beneficiary’s signature pledging that the item(s) will not be sold.

“Once they sell the items, a 6-month jail term as punishment awaits them and no one will forgive you. Because we are tired of this backward thinking of selling empowerment tools that were given to you” he frowned.